International Council of Nurses partners on e-bike scheme to support nurses in Donetsk region of Ukraine

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is partnering with Project Kesher Ukraine on a pilot initiative to supply electric bicycles for nurses working in the Donetsk region of the country.

Project Kesher Ukraine's Women's Opportunity Fund works with local hospitals and local governments. They prioritize communities in areas that have been cleared of mines and are not active military zones, to ensure the safety of nurses as much as is possible.

Transport for nurses and other health care workers in and around the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region is difficult and the E-bikes will help them to overcome the travel problems and deliver care to people who would otherwise get no care at all.

By purchasing and delivering the 10 E-bikes, ICN will support Project Kesher's efforts to expand nurse mobility and, as a result, provide essential care to vulnerable populations.

The E-bikes are designed to operate on rough terrain and reduce travel time between patients by 75%, are currently being used to visit approximately 11,500 patients every month in four different communities.

ICN is providing a financial contribution to purchase from its Humanitarian Fund, as part of its #NursesforPeace campaign.

ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano said: “Overcoming transport difficulties is a fundamental way that we can improve access to nursing care for the people of Kramatorsk. ICN values its partnership with Project Kesher Ukraine and we expect the E-bikes will improve access to care for thousands of families in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

‘ICN remains totally committed to supporting Ukrainian nurses during these challenging times and we are open to explore future opportunities for collaboration.”

Project Kesher Ukraine (PKU) is an independent, non-partisan, grassroots women’s organization that was founded in 2010. PKU is committed to developing women leaders throughout Ukrainian society.